Anishinabek Nation does not condone violence to further issues

UOI OFFICES, ON, May 21 /CNW/ - Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee wants to make it clear that the Anishinabek Nation does not support or condone violence as a means to advance its political agenda.

"First Nations sometimes have to use peaceful direct action to get other governments to respect our inherent, treaty, and aboriginal rights," say Grand Council Chief Madahbee. "We believe it is dishonest for people to commit violent acts in the name of supporting aboriginal or First Nations causes or issues."

Anishinabek citizens and leadership were concerned about the recent fire-bombing at an Ottawa bank.

"Only cowards jeopardize innocent lives through random acts of terrorism," says Madahbee. Many First Nations in the Anishinabek Nation territory have been involved with peaceful demonstrations such as rallies in Toronto and Ottawa, road closures and traffic slow-downs - all to protest the illegal HST that will be imposed on First Nations citizens on July 1st.

The Anishinabek Nation has been asking the federal government to make sure First Nations are involved in HST discussions since March 2009.

Yesterday, Minister Flaherty agreed to a tripartite meeting involving the province and First Nations to discuss the retail sales tax exemption at point-of-sale for First Nations. As a result, Whitefish River First Nation on Manitoulin Island has postponed a planned traffic stoppage on Highway 6 scheduled for this afternoon.

The Anishinabek Nation established the Union of Ontario Indians as its secretariat in 1949. The UOI is a political advocate for 40 member communities across Ontario, representing approximately 55,000 people. The Union of Ontario Indians is the oldest political organization in Ontario and can trace its roots back to the Confederacy of Three Fires, which existed long before European contact.

For further information: Marci Becking, Communications Officer, Union of Ontario Indians, Phone: [phone] (ext. 2290), Cell: [phone], E-mail: [email protected], www.facebook.com - add Anishinabek Nation as a "friend"